NSW Sport Awards: Nicola Olyslagers Athlete of the Year
Published Tue 25 Nov 2025
24 November 2025
NSW Sport Awards: Nicola Olyslagers Athlete of the Year and Matt Horsnell Coach of the Year
The incredible year by high jumper Nicola Olyslagers, along with coach Matt Horsnell, were recognised last evening at the prestigious Sport NSW Athlete of the Year Awards as they claimed the athlete of the year and coach of the year awards.
Nicola’s near peerless season where she won the World Indoor Championship, World (outdoor) Championship, Diamond League final and was the world leader in the high jump, made her almost impossible to be beaten in a field that included 6-time previous winner Jessica Fox.
She becomes just the second athlete to win the award, following Dani Stevens (nee Samuels) who won in 2009 after she won the world discus championship.
Nicola’s coach Matt Horsnell claimed the coach of the year for his incredible 17-years work with Nicola. Matt is also just the second NSW Athletics winner of the coach award, follow Alex Stewart’s win in 2022.
Nicola, who is currently working in America, will soon travel to Monaco where she is favourite to win the female field event athlete of the year at the World Athletics Awards this weekend. Last night the award was collected by her proud parents, Fran and Ian McDermott, along with coach Matt Horsnell.
Three of NSW’s other four finalists enjoyed the gala evening.
Athlete of the Year with a Disability - Mali Lovell
Masters Athlete of the Year - Janelle Delaney
Official of the Year - Janet Nixon
Young Athlete of the Year with a Disability - Lexie Brown
A summary of Nicola’s stunning year:
· World Athletics Championships: Gold medallist, 2.00m (raining), defeating Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the Paris Olympic and reigning world champion and World Record holder.
· World Athletics Indoor Championships: Gold Medallist, 1.97m, Won her second consecutive World indoor title. Defeated Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh.
· Diamond League Final: won with an Australian record of 2.04m. (clear winner, 2nd 2.02m), defeating Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh.
· 2025 World Leader: clear world leader in 2025 with her jump of 2.04m (second was 2.02m).
· Australian record: raised the Australian record to 2.04m. It was the seventh occasion she had equalled or raised the record.
· 2025 Australian Champion: won her fifth consecutive Australian title in April 2025. Has won six in total.
David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Matt, Ian and Fran on stage collecting Nicola’s award.
